Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Ian

Ian was diagnosed with motor neurone disease just over two years ago, in 2008. He has taken part in several research studies, including a biobank study which aims to improve the diagnosis and understanding of MND.

  • Background

    Ian is an insurance consultant. He is married with two children aged 21 and 17. Ethnic background: White English

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Roland

    Roland has a rare form of motor neurone disease (MND) called progressive muscular atrophy. He is part of a study using blood samples, scans and other tests to improve the diagnosis and understanding of MND. He has also agreed to donate his brain to a brain bank.

  • Background

    Roland is a retired computer consultant. He is married with two grown-up children. Ethnic background: White British

  • Age at interview 61
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Gareth

    Gareth has taken part as a healthy volunteer in two studies run by a diabetes research group, including a recent one which involved giving him adrenaline and taking fat biopsies. He declined to take part in one which involved being injected with insulin.

  • Background

    Gareth is an engineering manager. He is married with two teenage children. Ethnic background: White British

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Elaine

    Elaine has taken part as a healthy volunteer in several diabetes and metabolism research studies, where she has given blood and tissue samples. Healthy volunteers help researchers understand how influences such as diet and weight interact with our genes.

  • Background

    Elaine works as a healthcare assistant. She is married with two sons aged 17 and 22. Ethnic background: White British

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Richard

    Richard was asked to take part in a biobanking study and decided not to. He has taken part in other medical research in the past.

  • Background

    Richard is an NHS manager. He is married with two children aged 14 and 12. Ethnic background: White British

  • Age at interview 43
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Jade

    Jade was part of a twin birth cohort study. She stopped taking part in the study at age 12 but cannot remember why or how this was communicated to the research team. She is considering rejoining the study.

  • Background

    Jade is a student. Ethnic background: White English

  • Age at interview 25
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Lucy

    Lucy was a part of a longitudinal medical study. As part of involvement, she had pictures of her moles and freckles taken. At first she found this interesting, but as she got older it caused concern about whether they could be cancerous.

  • Background

    Lucy is in relationship and has one child. Ethnic background: White British

  • Age at interview 30
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • John

    John has been part of a cohort study for ten years. Through the study, he took part in some research about using MRIs and, through this, he learnt more about his brain health.

  • Background

    John is married and has one child. He is a retired science filmmaker. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 68
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Gill

    Gill was invited to join a women's health cohort study after taking part in a short study about ovarian cancer. Her participation involves answering questionnaires. Her motivation for taking part is to benefit other people.

  • Background

    Gill is married and has three children. She is a retired couples psychotherapist. Ethnic background: White English

  • Age at interview 79
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Barbara

    Barbara has been part of a birth cohort study for over 70 years which started when her mother was pregnant. She feels privileged to have taken part and has always found her involvement interesting. She feels part of a club.

  • Background

    Barbara is widowed and a retired media researcher. Ethnic background: White British

  • Age at interview 73
  • Sex/Gender Female